Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman

Although The Simple Woman is on vacation this week, I love this meme so much that I could not resist keeping to my regular ‘Monday’ posting routine. Enjoy.

Outside My Window…It’s bright and sunny with just a slight nip in the air.

I am thankful….for my new computer chair and the thingamajig that raises the monitor up to eye level.

From the kitchen…It’s time to clean out all the leftovers from Christmas and wipe down the fridge. I’m thinking about trying a new recipe, Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Ranch Sauce.

I am creating…an organized workspace (again!) and a decluttered home. Five bags went to Goodwill yesterday. I am a minimalist at heart and it constantly amazes me how I keep finding ‘stuff’ to fill the ‘send to Goodwill’ bag I always keep in the trunk of my car.

From the learning rooms…I donated all the LifePac curriculum packs (except math) and have begun to develop our own ‘personalized’ curriculum for the coming year. I continue to find some great books at bargain prices at TJ Maxx and Beall’s Outlet. For example:

• Weather: The Forces of Nature that Shape Our World 
• Atlas of World History
• State Houses: America’s 50 State Capitol Buildings

and of course there are the books that I was able to buy with the weekly coupons I get from Borders:

• The Everything Kids Magical Science Experiments Book 
• The Constellations: Stars & Stories
• Eyewitness Books: Space Exploration
• Eyewitness Books: Great Scientists
• Annie Oakley
• Amelia Earhart
• Helen Keller

and I am going to incorporate more hands on with field trips. Two that I have scheduled so far is The Renaissance Faire and the Bishop Planetarium.

I am going…leave the Christmas tree up for one more week at the request of Miss Sam. All the rest of Christmas is packed away and already up in the attic. The deal was that I would leave it up as long as she helps me take it down. I’ll let you know how that works out (grin).

I am reading…Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I must admit that I have tried to read this classic for several decades (!!!) and have never been able to be ‘grabbed’ by it as others have. However, my friend Linda  mentioned that she read it recently and enjoyed it so I thought that I would once again give it a try. Well, there is something to be said for age and maturity (giggle) as I am thoroughly enjoying it. It has turned out to be one of those ‘can’t put down’ books (amazing!). Thanks Linda for inspiring me to give this classic another try.

I am hoping…that my husband sorts through and organizes all his fishing gear that recently made it’s way from our garage (and at least over a dozen Gander Mountain/WalMart bags) and found their way into our living room. The plan is that he will do it New Years Day. (Again, I will let you know how that works out….grin.)

Around the house…things are dusted and put back in their place (except for the fishing store that is in the middle of the living room). Even the bed linens have been washed. Now if I can just get someone to tackle the dogs and get them into the bathtub.

One of My Favorite Things…is ‘nesting’ in my office/studio, which is what I have planned today.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

• getting the dogs’ toenails trimmed (talk about highlights of the week!)
• visiting old friends in south Florida
• a visit to the Biship Planetarium
• getting my courses posted on my school website so the students can download the syllabus and wonder what they have gotten themselves into (giggle).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…